Cedric is a gay, overweight black man with self-esteem issues, which he hides behind his sense of humor. He has a smart mouth but is vulnerable when it comes to love. At a spiritual retreat, he meets Walter, who is attractive, masculine, intelligent and entirely out of his league. Cedric is immediately infatuated. To his surprise, Walter responds favorably. As their friendship develops, so do Cedric’s feelings for Walter. When unsettling secrets about Walter emerge, Cedric chooses to overlook them. A devastating event takes Cedric by surprise and forces him to confront the truth about Walter—his life will never be the same again.

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I'd never before read a gay novel quite like PHAT BOI - and I've read a lot of gay novels. Clearly walking the path paved by James Earl Hardy and Larry Duplechan (yeah, I said it), Mr. Blackwood nonetheless creates a distinct and likable narrative voice in Cedric, his full-figured Black gay protagonist. His struggles - romantic, familial and medical - make for a plot that borders on the soapy without going all the way there. To my knowledge, this might be the first literary expression of the peculiar issues faced by an urban gay man who is dark-skinned, a bit effeminate, and (to put it bluntly) fat; issues well worth considering. PHAT BOI is a fast, fun read, suitable for poolside reading, and a welcome addition to the canon.

Phat Boi:My first glance at the title called “Phat Boi” I rolled my eyes. I thought was I going to read a male version of “Precious” the movie. Instead, as I poured through the pages I was pleasantly relieved and grateful to my friend for recommending this book. Mr. Blackwood has created an original story with memorable characters some I loved and others I couldn’t hate no matter what they did. Hopefully, like the main protagonist, our own ups and downs will cause us to keep getting up.

PHAT BOI tells the story of Cedric, a young, overweight, black gay man who seems to fit the cliché of searching for love in all the wrong places. Things open with Cedric lying in a hospital bed, put there by an ailment we aren’t privy to. The story centers around the events which led to his hospitalization, Cedric severing as the narrator. This ends up being a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, seeing everything through Cedric’s eyes allows us to experience his story in a unique way. Immediately, I felt his pain at times, his frustration, his disappointment. Going with a first-person narrative was an excellent choice on the part of Mr. Blackwood given the type of story PHAT BOI is. On the other hand, given how Cedric is portrayed, there’s something about his voice that ends up feeling off somehow, as if someone else is telling us what they think happened while claiming to be Cedric. It doesn’t seem to match for some reason. At points, I saw Cedric come through with sharp humor and a bit of unique wit. But then, he’d disappear again, reverting to this other person telling the story pretending to be him. Despite this uneven voice, the actual story is given in a consistent and well-paced fashion. Events were clear and not only held but, at times, commanded my attention.

As far as the genre goes, the story more than makes up for these few shortcomings and is sure to please fans of Gay Urban Fiction. It remains true to the things that make this genre what it is. If anything, I was a little too invested in the book which is what led to a bit of personal disappointment for me. That disappointment was the fact that, in my eyes, there was so much more story to tell here and so much more that could have been explored. Mr. Blackwood presents us with a colorful cast but I didn't get nearly as much of them as I would have liked. Who knows? Perhaps we may get a sequel. And if so, I'm willing and ready to dive back into Cedric's world.

Phat Boi was a well-written book. I enjoyed the storytelling through the eyes of Cedric, the flawed yet likable hero of the novel. I found his friendships with Ant and Raj a refreshing counterbalance to the problematic relationships he had with his family. The book gives a cursory glance at issues such as religion, homophobia and body image, among others. I would have liked a different ending, but I respect the author's vision and realize that sometimes life isn't fair, and conflicts aren't always easily solved and dolled up with red bows. Overall, a great read. I look forward to reading more from Mr. Blackwood.